Some species of mushrooms contain naturally occurring hallucinogenic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms are known as magic mushroom. Magic mushrooms may be used in a fresh state or after being prepared after being dried and brewed (USDOJ, 2005). Magic mushrooms have now been classified as type A drug in the UK. The effect of prepared mushrooms is even more unpredictable in comparison to that of fresh mushrooms. The effective hallucinogenic dose of magic mushrooms is about 50-100 mg and its effect (trip) usually lasts for only about an hour.
Due to the short duration, the trip is often known as “businessman’s trip” (USDOJ, 2005). Ecstasy Ecstasy is a commonly used hallucinogen in the U. K, particularly on the dance floor. Ecstasy is chemically composed of a compound called 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (USDOJ, 2005). Commonly used street name for ecstasy in the UK is E. Individual tablets of ecstasy are often available in different colors and often contain graphic designs or commercial logo on them, in order to attract the young users.
Tablets of ecstasy usually contain 80-100 mg of MDMA(USDOJ, 2005). The drugs are usually consumed orally. However they are also snorted at times or dissolved in water and injected. Consumption of ecstasy cause sudden burst of energy in the individual, which may last for 3-6 hours. Since ecstasy is commonly used on the dance floor, individuals consuming it should be careful about not dancing continuously for long periods of time after taking this drug. This is so as ecstasy affects the body’s thermostat mechanism and its ability to affectively control body’s temperature.
Thus dancing for long periods of time can result in increased body temperature (hyperthermia), which can result in overheating and dehydration (USDOJ, 2005). Hyperthermia can also harm the liver, kidney and the heart. One must also avoid drinking too much water after consuming ecstasy. Drinking too much water after consuming ecstasy can result in fluid overload and hyponatremia, which can even prove fatal (USDOJ, 2005). Opiates and narcotics Narcotics are drugs which have been used legally as pain killers since a long time. Opiate
drugs like codeine and morphine are commonly used as analgesic agents in medicine whereas narcotic drugs like diacetylmorphine (heroin) are commonly used as illicit drugs. These drugs are usually derived from the opium (poppy) plant (USDOJ, 2005). Narcotic drugs produce a sense of well-being by reducing tension, anxiety and pain. These drugs can be consumed in a number of ways including oral ingestion (suppositories), intravenous injections, transdermally through skin patches or intranasally (snorting) or smoking (USDOJ, 2005).
If consumed in high doses, narcotic drugs can result in death by causing respiratory depression. Other signs of narcotic overdose include constriction of pupils, cold clammy skin, confusion, convulsions, severe drowsiness, etc (USDOJ, 2005). Use of narcotics can result in drowsiness, inability to concentrate, apathy, reduced level of physical activity, constriction of the pupils, constipation, nausea, vomiting etc. Long term use of narcotics, can result in the development of tolerance and both physical and psychological dependence to this drug (USDOJ, 2005).
Some symptoms associated with early stages of withdrawal reaction include watery eyes, runny nose, yawning, sweating etc. In later stages this can result in restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, tremors, vomiting, depression, and bone pains and muscles spasms (USDOJ, 2005). Heroin Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is an opium (poppy) derived drug, which is consumed by a small proportion of individuals in the U. K (Stimson, & Metrebian, 2003). Though initially introduced into the field of medicine as a respiratory stimulant, it was later discovered to be a respiratory depressant.
Nowadays, heroin is used in the UK as a strong analgesic and is highly effective in the treatment of pain. Illicit heroin can available in various grades, mainly the smokeable and injectable grades. Though Heroin is mainly injected intravenously, it can also smoked by the people abusing this drug. The smokable grade is pinkish brownish form of heroin, which is basic in nature and evaporates without forming any residue on being heated (Stimson, & Metrebian, 2003). On the other hand, the injectable grade is heroin hydrochloride, which is available in form of a white water soluble powder.
When abused, heroin produces a feeling of well-being and drowsiness resulting in a ‘trance-like’ sedative state. Side effects associated with heroin abuse include nausea, dry mouth, decreased appetite, constipation, menstrual disorders etc (Stimson, & Metrebian, 2003). While smoking, the smokable grade of heroin is kept on an aluminum foil and heated (not burnt). The resultant fumes are inhaled with help of a tube. Prolonged use can result in both psychological and physical forms of dependence. When drug consumption
is suddenly stopped or markedly reduced, withdrawal symptoms are produced (Stimson, & Metrebian, 2003). These include flu like symptoms (like fever, watery nose and eyes), sleep disorder, muscular pain, diarrhea etc. The amount of problems caused by heroin use is related to the method in which heroin is consumed. Injecting heroin is more dangerous than smoking it. Injecting heroin intravenously is also associated with the risk of transmission of blood borne infections like HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C etc (Stimson, & Metrebian, 2003).